In the golden age of Japanese sports dramas, few shows left as indelible a mark as Judo Ichiban (柔道一直線), the 1969-1971 series that turned judo into a national obsession. This week, the actor who brought its relentless underdog hero to life, Katsuhiko Sakuragi, shared never-before-heard stories from the set in a rare television appearance—revealing the grit, creativity, and sheer physical toll behind the show’s legendary fight scenes.

Sakuragi, now 78, appeared as a guest on Kashiwabara Yoshie no Kissa☆Kayōkai (柏原芳恵の喫茶☆歌謡界), a music and talk program hosted by 1980s pop icon Yoshie Kashiwabara. The two-part special, airing May 9 and 16 on J:COM TV, offers a masterclass in how Judo Ichiban—and its successor, Detective Kun (刑事くん)—shaped Japan’s pop culture landscape. For sports fans and drama historians alike, Sakuragi’s revelations provide a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of athleticism, storytelling, and stardom in postwar Japan.

The Making of a Martial Arts Revolution

Judo Ichiban followed the journey of Naoya Ichijō, a high school judoka whose signature moves—like the “Air Double Throw” (空中二段投げ) and “Hell Chariot” (地獄車)—became household phrases. The show’s blend of high-stakes competition, moral lessons, and over-the-top fight choreography made it a phenomenon, spawning a wave of “sports-rooted” (スポ根) dramas that dominated Japanese television in the 1970s.

Sakuragi, who also performed the show’s theme song, revealed that the now-iconic “Air Double Throw” was achieved using a hidden wire system—though not the kind audiences might imagine. “We didn’t have the budget for Hollywood-style rigs,” he explained on the program. “Instead, we used thick fishing line attached to a bamboo pole. The crew would yank it from off-camera, and I’d just… fly.” The simplicity of the setup only added to the move’s mystique, as young viewers across Japan attempted (and often failed) to replicate it in schoolyards.

The show’s fight scenes were choreographed by real judo experts, including former national team coaches. Sakuragi recounted how the cast trained for months under their guidance: “We weren’t actors pretending to be judoka—we were judoka for those two years. I still have the calluses to prove it.” This commitment to authenticity extended to the show’s technical details. For example, the “Phoenix” (フェニックス) throw, another of Ichijō’s signature moves, was based on a real but rarely seen technique called uchi mata sukashi (内股透), which Sakuragi and his co-stars practiced until they could execute it safely on camera.

From Judo to Justice: The Detective Kun Connection

After Judo Ichiban concluded, Sakuragi transitioned to Detective Kun (1971-1976), a police procedural that became another cultural touchstone. The show’s success was due in no small part to its ensemble cast, which included future superstars like Kenichi Hagiwara, Kenji Sawada, and Yūsaku Matsuda. Sakuragi shared a particularly poignant anecdote about Matsuda, who played a rival detective: “Yūsaku was already a method actor before the term was popular in Japan. He’d stay in character between takes, even when we were just grabbing lunch. One time, he arrested a real street vendor for ‘suspicious behavior’—we had to talk him out of calling the actual police.”

The two shows shared more than just Sakuragi’s involvement. Both were written by Ikki Kajiwara, the legendary manga artist and screenwriter whose work defined the “sports-rooted” genre. Kajiwara’s lyrics for Judo Ichiban’s theme song—performed by Sakuragi—became anthems for a generation. On the program, Sakuragi sang a stirring rendition of the song, which he described as “a time capsule of the era’s spirit.”

The Oddest Scene in TV History?

Perhaps the most bizarre revelation from Sakuragi’s appearance concerned a scene in Judo Ichiban where his rival, played by Masaomi Kondō, plays the piano… with his feet. The moment, which became one of the show’s most talked-about sequences, was born out of necessity. “Kondō-san had injured his hands during a judo scene,” Sakuragi explained. “The director, not wanting to lose the episode’s climax, improvised. Kondō, being the professional he is, practiced for days until he could actually play a simple melody with his toes. The result was so surreal that it became a running gag on the show.”

The anecdote underscores the resourcefulness of the era’s television production. With budgets far smaller than today’s, creativity often emerged from constraints. Sakuragi joked that the show’s special effects team consisted of “one guy with a fishing line and another with a smoke machine.”

A Legacy That Endures

The influence of Judo Ichiban and Detective Kun extends far beyond nostalgia. The former is credited with popularizing judo among Japanese youth, leading to a surge in enrollment at dojos nationwide. The latter, meanwhile, set the template for the “buddy cop” genre, influencing everything from Taiyō ni Hoero! to modern hits like MOZU.

Sakuragi also revealed that his stage name was inspired by a real-life judo legend. “My mentor, the great Yoshiaki Yamashita, was one of the first to bring judo to the U.S. In the early 1900s,” he said. “When I was cast in Judo Ichiban, the producers wanted a name that honored the sport’s history. ‘Sakuragi’ was a nod to Yamashita-sensei’s legacy.”

For fans of classic sports dramas, Sakuragi’s appearance is a rare opportunity to hear firsthand accounts from an era when television was still finding its footing. His stories—of wire-assisted judo throws, foot-playing pianists, and method-acting detectives—paint a vivid picture of a time when creativity and passion often outweighed budgets, and technology.

Where to Watch

Kashiwabara Yoshie no Kissa☆Kayōkai featuring Katsuhiko Sakuragi will air on J:COM TV on May 9 and May 16 at 10:00 PM JST (UTC+9). While Judo Ichiban and Detective Kun are not currently available on major streaming platforms, select episodes can be found on NHK’s archives and through specialty retailers in Japan.

Key Takeaways

• The “Air Double Throw” was real—sort of. Sakuragi and his co-stars used fishing line and bamboo poles to simulate the move, which became a cultural phenomenon.
• Judo training was non-negotiable. The cast trained under national team coaches for months to ensure authenticity in fight scenes.
• One injury led to TV history. Masaomi Kondō’s hand injury resulted in the infamous “piano played with feet” scene, now a cult favorite.
• A shared legacy. Both Judo Ichiban and Detective Kun were written by Ikki Kajiwara, whose work defined the “sports-rooted” genre.
• Sakuragi’s name honors judo history. His stage name is a tribute to Yoshiaki Yamashita, a pioneer who introduced judo to the U.S.

What’s Next

Sakuragi’s appearance on Kashiwabara Yoshie no Kissa☆Kayōkai is part of a broader resurgence of interest in classic Japanese sports dramas. Later this year, NHK is set to air a documentary on the “sports-rooted” genre, featuring interviews with surviving cast members and archival footage. For fans eager to relive the era, the documentary promises to be a must-watch.

In the meantime, Sakuragi’s stories serve as a reminder of the power of sports storytelling—where discipline, creativity, and a little bit of fishing line can inspire generations.

What’s your favorite Judo Ichiban memory? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media with #JudoIchiban.